The Steel Guitar Forum

Back in the 70s I bought every record I could find of the great jazz guitarist Buddy Fite. He also played the steel, a Sierra, and I am sure he was great, but I never got to hear him play steel. Several years ago, I inquired about him at the St. Louis steel show and was told that he was in poor health. Does anybody know about him. Any information would be appreciated.

Can't recall just when, but there was an earlier post on Buddy Fite. The last I heard about Buddy, at that time, is that he was indeed in poor health. I personally have no knowledge beyond that. When he was a kid, he used to play great steel guitar and was masterful at tone and technique. His later Jazz guitar work show what I mean. Anyone else with the health status of Buddy Fite?

i saw postings in a standard guitar oriented newsgroup that buddy fite had passed away--i am guessing it was close to a year ago? i have never heard him play, but i know vance terry had some fite lps and was very fond of them. that's good enough for me.

My buddy Layne Davidsen went up to Buddy's trailer in Amboy,WA a couple time to jam with him. Layne's a beginner but Buddy was very helpful and welcoming. I guess Buddy was quite the recluse and did have that many visitors.

Adrian: Any chance you could have your good friend verify for certain about Buddy Fite's fate? I'd like to know as Buddy and I grew up together and got our first start profes-sionally at the same time here in Portland. He used to call and talk to me for hours, having me play all of my latest Jerry Byrd records for him. It wasn't until years later that I discovered he had been calling long distance from his aunts home. Those phone bill must have been horendous. I'd like to know about Buddy....to close the book if that is the answer. Thanx

Guys I should have done more research before I asked the question. I found the answer in www.melbay.com/news/fite.html
The world lost another great guitarist.
I am saddened to learn of his death at age 63.

I met Buddy Fite in LA, around 1967. I think he was demonstrating for Acoustic Control amps. A friend got us together.

He and I jammed for a while, guitar-to-guitar. He played with fnger picks and a thumb pick. I didn't know he played steel too; then again, in those days I didn't hardly know what a steel was.

As I recall, he was a big guy; sort of a "waterfall" haircut. Played a hollow body jazzer, like me. Very nice, and complimentary of my guitar playing though he could play rings around me.

I'll never forget what he said when poeple asked him why he didn't move down to LA from the Northwest. "Up there I can hunt, and fish, and go crazy."

Does this sound like Buddy to those of you who knew him?

Thanks for the good memories of a unique player and person.



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from the oasis ....

Just read the Mel Bay news clip. It was indeed Sunn amps, not Acoustic Control that he was demo-ing for. My former band played Sunn; that's how Buddy and I met.

Would it be worth considering....to ask b0b to establish a "Remembrance" page where all steel pickers that have gone on ahead of us, could be listed, including dob/dod, and a brief musical/personal history? How do you Forumites feel about this?